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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 19, 1993 · Piper PA-14 · N4259H

Yantarni Bay, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Yantarni Bay, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-14
Tail Number
N4259H
Operator
Fleek Wayne A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA180

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS LANDING ON A BEACH WHICH SLOPED ABOUT 30 DEGREES DOWN TO THE WATER. A CROSSWIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE WATER, WHICH WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE, AT ABOUT 20 GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. ABOUT 150 FEET AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE ABRUPTLY TURNED ABOUT 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND BOTH WINGS HIT THE GROUND. THE PILOT SAID 'I GUESS THE CROSSWIND WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME.'

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 19, 1993, at 0945 Alaska daylight time, the pilot of a wheel equipped Piper PA-14 airplane, N4259H, lost control and crashed while landing at a remote site at Yantarni Bay, located 50 miles east of Port Heiden, Alaska. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The local business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed another nearby remote site at 0930. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident during a telephone interview, the pilot stated the following, in part: "The beach where I landed was firm ground and sloped down about 30 degrees toward the water. The right crosswind was coming off the water at about 20, gusting to 25 knots. About 150 feet after touchdown, I lost directional control of the airplane and it abruptly turned about 90 degrees to the left. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing hit the ground, then the left hit the ground. The right wing was bent up about 45 degrees outboard from the lift strut. The fuselage was also bent about 45 degrees to the side. The tailwheel also broke off, either before or during the ground loop. I guess the crosswind was too much for me." ADDITIONAL INFORMATION On November 12, 1993, the pilot delivered to the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge, what he said was the broken bolt from the airplane's tailwheel. Close examination found fracture marks that were consistent with instantaneous overload.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-14
Tail NumberN4259H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFleek Wayne A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 20 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data